Foods That Athletes Use to Gain Strength and Endurance

The pressure to win and be the best in amateur and professional sports drives many athletes, at times with the urging of their coaches, to turn to dangerous, illegal steroids and other physical enhancing drugs. At the other end, the associations who control these athletes look for more ways to detect the use of these drugs and punish the athlete for using them.

There is another way of getting similar results without endangering your health or breaking the law. In nature there are strength and endurance enhancing foods that can get the same results. Here is a partial list of natural enhancing foods; Bee Pollen, Codonopsis, Ginger, Hawthorne Berry, Schisandra Berry, Siberian Ginseng, Tribulus and Wild Yam are a few of many. These foods are totally legal because they are foods and there is nothing dangerous about them physically or mentally.

But, if they are foods can they enhance athletic performance on the field? Can they deliver more strength, endurance and overall performance for the athlete? One of these foods was tested by the British Sports Council who recorded increases in strength as high as 40 to 50 percent in those taking this food regularly. What is the food that could cause such positive changes in strength? The Finnish track team that swept the Olympics in 1972, revealed, "Most of their athletes had used this food that year as a supplement with no negative results reported."

Here is another astounding physical feat that we hear little about involving bee pollen and the running powers of the American Indians. American Indian runners of the South West wore pouches containing bee pollen and chia seed around their necks to eat on long running journeys to sustain a high energy level. Sometimes they ran from 200 to 240 miles without stop as they carried news between San Gabriel, Mexico, Tucson, and San Diego. In the late spring of 1680 the Pueblo and Zuni Indians under the leadership of a Pueblo Indian religious leader named Po’way; defeated the Spanish. Indian runners were instrumental in the overthrow of this abusive Spanish Franciscan monk rule. Spanish control of the Indians was crippled forever. The church and the kiva have coexisted to this day. The revolt remains a victory though few Americans know that it even happened (see my blog "Native American Thompsonian Herbalism" about the debt Naturopaths and modern medicine owe the American Indian People).

The food that could cause such astounding results is bee pollen. Here is what the renowned German naturalist Francis Huber, who was a great proponent of this miraculous food from the hive, called bee pollen, "the greatest body builder on Earth." Read the results below to see for yourself why this food product has had such a positive effect on athletes and could benefit anyone who just wants to gain an edge and feel better.

Noel Johnson, a marathon runner in his nineties has written two autobiographies. One is called "A Dud at 70 - A Stud at 80" and the other "The Living Proof". He says, "I derive special nutrients from bee pollen. It gives me the energy I need to engage in marathons... and other physical activities!"

Historical Background of Bee Pollen

All through history bee pollen has been referred to as a complete food and tonic by all the great societies including the Chinese, Egyptian, Greek, European, Inca, and North American Indians. Hypocrites and Pythagoras both prescribed bee pollen for its powerful healing and rejuvenating properties. In these ancient cultures, bee pollen was surrounded by mystique; offering long life, improved sexual prowess and prolonged wellness. Scientists have studied pollen in modern times and have confirmed that it is a perfect food containing all 22 elements that our body needs and will confirm its many benefits when taken regularly.

The Human consumption of bee products is praised in the Bible. Where Honey is frequently mentioned; it was referred to as a wholesome food, a helpful medicine, an ingredient of delicious drinks. Psalms 81:16 "He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey."

What Makes Bee Pollen the Perfect Food?

Chemical analysis from research labs all over the world show that bee pollen is the most complete and perfect food on Earth. Bee pollen contains the following nutrients [the location and source of bee pollen can cause variability in the vitamin and mineral content of bee pollen]

All essential amino acids, minerals, including phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, copper, manganese, iron and zinc, some trace minerals, all B vitamins, including B-12 [one of the few vegetarian sources of B-12], Folic Acid, Panthothenic Acid, Rutin, Lecithin, RNA, DNA and enzymes. It also contains anti-oxidants, including flavonoids, beta-carotene, Vitamins C and E, and Lycopene.

Research has shown that bee pollen contains a substance which inhibits the development of numerous harmful bacteria, including E. coli. Clinical studies have shown that bee pollen has a regulatory effect on intestinal function, relieving even the most stubborn constipation.

Studies also show that bee pollen is high in enzymes and co-enzymes. Enzymes are necessary in the body for digestive and immune functions. The enzymes present in bee pollen are especially important for a balanced chemical metabolism. This balancing or regulating function may be the key factor in bee pollen's ability to assist in weight regulation.

Bee pollen is approximately 25% complete protein containing at least 18 amino acids, more than 12 vitamins, 28 minerals, 11 enzymes and co-enzymes, 14 beneficial fatty acids, and 11 carbohydrates. Bee pollen is low in calories at 90 calories per oz. (approx. 2 tsps.). It contains Lecithin which helps dissolve and flush fat out of the body, which in turn lowers low density lipoproteins (LDL) and raises high-density lipoproteins (HDL). Bee pollen stimulates metabolism and curbs the appetite due to its Phenylalanine content [one of the essential amino acids]. It is also a powerful antioxidant (one of the highest) and has a high polyphenol content -- a super bioflavonoid.

Once science understood the above ingredients in bee pollen they tried to copy it ingredient by ingredient and synthesize bee pollen. Why would science want to do this? That is easy, because bee pollen is considered to be the most perfect food on earth. To prove that theirs was virtually the same, they deprived some bee’s of their own pollen-filled comb and substituted the synthesized version. The scientist then fed the bee’s manmade pollen. The results; the bee’s died even though all the known nutrients were present in the lab-produced synthesized food. These scientists conducted many thousands of chemical analyses of bee pollen with the very latest diagnostic equipment, but there are still some elements present in bee pollen that science cannot identify. The bees add some mysterious "extra" of their own. These unidentifiable elements may very well be the reason bee pollen has worked so spectacularly throughout history for so many athletes.

Honey and pollen combination was used to treat burns and other skin injuries in India and South America. Bee pollen mixed with honey and warm milk has traditionally been used for sore throats and laryngitis in Europe. Honey and pollen poultices were used for treatment of respiratory ailments including bronchitis and asthma. Bee pollen was also an ingredient used for an Oriental anti-aging formulation along with honey, ginseng and orange peel.

Bee Pollen, is the Perfect Food the Perfect Protein?

The tiniest pollen contains more amino acids that make up protein than any other food and drink of the same weight available in the world? Bee pollen from the bee hive is enriched with essential and non-essential amino acids (contains all the 20 amino acids) that make up the proteins that form our body. These proteins together with a lot of other essential nutrients and enzymes are needed for living by the human body.

Bee pollen contains all the essential building block components of life. The percentage of rejuvenating elements in bee pollen remarkably exceeds those present in brewer's yeast and wheat germ. Bee pollen corrects the deficient or unbalanced nutrition, in the commonly accepted incomplete foods found in our present day civilization. Bee pollen also offsets those added chemical ingredients, which expose us to physiological and psychological problems as various as they are numerous and dangerous. 

The benefit of bee pollen for building muscle is even more valuable as we age to keep and maintain the body's overall proper muscular movement and activity.

What Will Bee Pollen Do for Me?

Physical Energy: When you first start taking bee pollen you may feel a significant increase in your energy right away, definitely within a week or so. Over time, the consistent use of bee pollen will improve your energy, strength, stamina, and endurance. 

Mental Energy: Where previously you may have felt stress, anxiety, slight depression or a lack of mental alertness. Now, over a short period of time you notice a greater feeling of general mental well-being and high mental alertness. Over the long-term with regular use of bee pollen you will notice that the alleviation of other mental energy drainers is permanent.

Skin Texture Changes: Notice how your skin feels you may notice problem areas changing fairly quickly as the bee pollen moves throughout your body. Where you had dryness, inflammation, eczema, or wounds slow to heal, you may now notice the relief of symptoms and now you have smooth, toned and healthy skin in place of the old.

One of the most important bee pollen facts is that it is rich in antioxidants

The antioxidants in bee pollen are compounds chemists call flavonoids. Bee pollen packs the punch of myricetin, quercetin, rutin, and trans-cinnamic acid. You don't need to remember their names, but take a look at what they can do for you.

Myricetin, a naturally occurring phytochemical, has potent skin anticancer-promoting activity. Quercetin is a natural antihistamine - the right kind of pollen can be beneficial for your allergies! Rutin is best known as the remedy for varicose veins. Rutin protects veins throughout the body and may help prevent cancer as well. Your body uses trans-cinnamic acid to make its own antibiotics, and this potent nutrient also powers the detoxifying processes of the liver.

Before You Go, Let Me Give You a Few More Good Reasons to Take Bee Pollen

Over the long-term, regular consumption of bee pollen will help alleviate many different health problems, slow down the aging process, and improve your quality of life. The benefits of bee pollen are vast. It has been scientifically researched and proven to be an immune booster, a reliable source of acquiring vitamins and minerals in the body, and has a wide array of essential proteins. 

Bee pollen has been shown to increase sexual functions in men, as well as increase libido in women. Bee pollen actually stimulates each and every organ in the body as well as the glands. The pollen that comes from the bee has been linked to a longer life span and increased longevity.

It is said in general to rejuvenate the body including the skin. Another common finding in studies involving bee pollen is that it can be used as a weight loss alternative as well as showing some appetite suppressant properties.

Dosage

When taking Bee Pollen as part of a health program, always start out with small doses as some have reported allergy symptoms connected with its use.

Note: If you have ever suffered from anaphylactic shock you are in danger taking even a small amount of bee pollen. You are someone who should consider a complete deep tissue cleansing.